CHERRY Bear realised a lifelong ambition when he was handed an unexpected debut during Cherries' light-hearted friendly against Wessex League BAT on Friday.

Much to the surprise of the 403-strong crowd, the Cherries mascot was thrust into the action 10 minutes from the end of a testimonial for BAT duo Lee Hodder and Richard Hurst.

The mascot was supposed to come on as a sub for Warren Feeney, but the Ulsterman decided not to leave the pitch and referee Darren Spicer allowed Cherries to play with 12 - 11 men and a bear.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Cherry Bear, who declined to reveal his true identity, said: "I have always wanted to play for the Cherries and it was great to get a game.

"I was just watching the game when I was given the nod to go on. I would love to have scored, but, to be honest, I couldn't even see the ball and I didn't know where the goal was!"

Goalkeeper Gareth Stewart was also given a run-out up front as the match played second fiddle to the occasion, with former Cherries star Eddie Howe and Saints' Matthew Le Tissier among the crowd.

Carl Fletcher opened the scoring for Cherries in the 20th minute before Danny Thomas bagged his first goal of the club after cashing in on a mistake from Hurst, one of the two beneficiaries.

Chukki Eribenne followed up to score after a Brian Stock effort had been saved, a goal which prompted a one-man pitch invasion from a delirious Cherries fan, before Dave Roberts headed BAT's consolation past trialist goalkeeper Aaron Hedges who is poised to join the Dean Court youth ranks.

Cherries: Hedges, Broadhurst (Thomas, 65), O'Connor (C Fletcher, 69), Tindall (Purches, h-t), C Fletcher (Elliott, h-t), Feeney (Woolfenden, h-t), Stock (Tindall, 65), Thomas (Hayter, h-t), Foyewa (Feeney, 67), Maher (Narada, 32), Eribenne (Stewart, 67), (Cherry Bear, 80). Unused subs: Grant, Morton.

* Cherries' well known kitman Bernie Morton was listed as an unused substitute but missed his chance to go on because he was busy signing autographs.